SANTA MARIA, CA – August 15, 2024 – Dignity Health, in partnership with the Santa Maria Times, is again proud to present the annual Day of Hope event on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. The 11th annual community event benefits local cancer patients in need at Mission Hope Cancer Center in Santa Maria and Arroyo Grande. Day of Hope teams will line the streets to sell the special edition Santa Maria Times Day of Hope newspapers from 7 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. throughout Santa Maria, Orcutt, Guadalupe, Nipomo, and the Five Cities Area. 

Additionally, a celebratory community car parade will begin at 11 a.m. and will travel through Santa Maria along Broadway Street to Main Street and end at Mission Hope Cancer Center, 1325 East Church Street, Santa Maria. The car parade will depart from the Santa Maria Fairpark at 11 a.m. and will arrive at Mission Hope Cancer Center at 11:15 a.m. 

Community members are invited to support the Day of Hope event in a variety of ways including:

• Team Newspaper Sales: Buy a newspaper from a Day of Hope team on Wednesday, August 21, 2024
• Online Donations: Visit Dignityhealthfoundation.org/day-of-hope-2024 to make an online donation and receive an exclusive electronic version of the Day of Hope Santa Maria Times newspaper on Wednesday, August 21, 2024
• Community Car Parade: Registration for the car parade is limited. Please register online at SupportMarianMedical.org/DayofHope or cheer on the Day of Hope car parade along the route 

"Day of Hope in Santa Maria is a day of celebration for our whole community to come together to uplift patients and families affected by cancer," shares Ben Wilkinson, MD, radiation oncologist at Mission Hope Cancer Center. "By supporting the Day of Hope event, you directly assist cancer patients and their families in need, providing crucial financial aid and program support. Your generosity strengthens our programs and services, enabling our staff to provide compassionate, cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional care right here in Santa Maria. Today, we unite to transform lives, encourage those living with cancer, and forge a future where hope shines brighter than ever before."

"All members of the Central Coast community are invited to get involved and support the annual Day of Hope event,” states Jessa Brooks, Vice President of Philanthropy, Marian Regional Medical Center. “Each year, Day of Hope is an inspiring day and a true community celebration where participating community members demonstrate their strong support and enthusiasm for local cancer patients in need, while also spreading hope.” 

Since the event’s inception 11 years ago, the event’s cumulative fundraising total has reached $2,287,617.